RAFTK, a novel member of the focal adhesion kinase family, is phosphorylated and associates with signaling molecules upon activation of mature T lymphocytes

The related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK), a recently discovered member of the focal adhesion kinase family, has previously been reported to participate in signal transduction in neuronal cells, megakaryocytes, and B lymphocytes. We have found that RAFTK is constitutively expressed in human T cells and is rapidly phosphorylated upon the activation of the T cell receptor (TCR). This activation also results in an increase in the autophosphorylation and kinase activity of RAFTK. After its stimulation, there was an increase in the association of the src cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase Fyn and the adapter protein Grb2. This association was mediated through the SH2 domains of Fyn and Grb2. RAFTK also co-immunoprecipitates with the SH2 domain of Lck and with the cytoskeletal protein paxillin through its COOH-terminal proline-rich domain. The tyrosine phosphorylation of RAFTK after T cell receptor-mediated stimulation was reduced by the pretreatment of cells with cytochalasin D, suggesting the role of the cytoskeleton in this process. These observations indicate that RAFTK participates in T cell receptor signaling and may act to link signals from the cell surface to the cytoskeleton and thereby affect the host immune response.     

Removal of free and complexed heavy-metal ions by sorbents produced from fly (Musca domestica) larva shells

Fly larva shells (FLS) are formed as a side product in the biological treatment of organic wastes, and chitin and chitosan produced from the FLS have been used as sorbents for heavy-metal ions. Sorbents are characterised by FT-IR measurements and pH-potentiometric titration and by determination of their surface area, and the content of main elements (C, N, P, S) and ashes. Free metal ions are sorbed best (up to 0.5-0.8 mmol g(-1)) onto chitin and chitosan. The sorption ability for free metal ions of chitin decreases in the order Fe(III) > Cu(II) (Pb(II) > Zn(II). > Ni(II) > Mn(II) and that of chitosan decreases in the order Cu(II) > Mn(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Pb(II) > Fe(III). The complexed metal ions are sorbed by the FLS up to 0.2-0.4mmol g(-1). The sorption ability for metal ions and ligands depends on pH, concentration of complexed metal ions and the ligand species in the solution. Glycine has the retarding effect on the sorption of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, and EDTA enhances the Cu(II) ion sorption. Ni(II) and glycine sorption obeyed the Langmuir isotherm. The observed sorption data show the promising potentialities of the FLS for the heavy-metal removal from the solutions, containing strong complexing agents. Mechanisms for the removal of free and complexed metal ions by chitin, chitosan and the FLS have been discussed.     

Sorption of Ni(II)-citrate complex from electroless nickel plating solutions onto chitosan

Spent electroless nickel plating solutions contain Ni(II)-citrate complexes which are hazardous to the environment. These complexes can be removed by using chitosan as a sorbent. Kinetic investigations indicate that Ni(II) sorption from complex solutions onto chitosan can be described by a pseudo-second order rate model. The experimental data of the adsorption under equilibrium conditions for both Ni(II) and citrate correlate well with the Freundlich isotherm equation. During the sorption of Ni(II)-citrate complex on chitosan competition between Ni(II) and citrate ions takes place. The citrate sorption prevails.

Adipate, the additive used in electroless nickel plating solutions, is not sorbed by chitosan, but its presence in solutions has an increasing effect on citrate sorption from citrate solutions without Ni(II) and the increasing effect on Ni(II) sorption from Ni(II)-citrate complex solutions. The other components of electroless nickel plating solution, i.e. hypophosphite, sulphate, phosphite have no influence on sorption.     

Mass deployment of sustainable transportation: evaluation of factors that influence electric vehicle adoption

Mass penetration of electric vehicles into the market will have a number of impacts and benefits, including the ability to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Therefore, it is expected that in coming years this technology will progressively penetrate the market. This research presents an analysis of factors that influence electric vehicle adoption by modeling the conditions under which an individual, particularly one with an engineering or technical background, is more or less likely to adopt an electric vehicle. This model is developed by considering demographic determinants as well as behavioral and attitudinal measures that affect individual adoption of the technology. The methodology involves applying logistic regression to provide a good fit and predict the response given explanatory variables. Analyzing these outcomes generates empirical findings that better inform electric vehicle technology and policy development. This study takes into account preferences of potential customers and analyzes how individuals with engineering and technology background differ in electric vehicle adoption considerations compared to the general population. Therefore, this research provides both engineers and policy makers with critical information for developing future electric vehicle technology. The model results show that several factors including willingness to pay for new appealing technology, distance driven, perceptions of electric vehicles as good for the environment, perception of EV speed are statistically significant in influencing willingness to purchase an electric vehicle.     

The influence of lactic acid fermentation on biogenic amines and volatile compounds formation in flaxseed and the effect of flaxseed sourdough on the quality of wheat bread

The aim of the study was to investigate if differences in acidification, biogenic amines (BA) and volatile compounds (VC) occurred when Lactobacillus sakei KTU05-6, Pediococcus acidilactici KTU05-07 and Pediococcus pentosaceus KTU05-8 are used as starters in solid state fermentation of flaxseed and the impact of flaxseed sourdough on the wheat bread making process assessed.     

Regeneration and decontamination of a nickel citrate complex in spent electroless nickel plating solutions

The possibility of citrate precipitation by excess metal ions in alkaline solutions suggests the use of Ni(II) together with OH^? to precipitate a Ni(II)-citrate complex from spent electroless plating solutions. After treatment of the precipitate with acid, excess Ni(II) can be removed in the form of insoluble Ni(OH)₂. The solution of the Ni(II)-citrate complex can then be reused for electroless nickel plating. During this procedure the additive adipate is not regenerated. For decontamination of spent electroless nickel plating solutions Fe(III) can be used as Ni(II)-citrate complex precipitant.     

Subharmonic modulation distortions in semiconductor lasers with optical feedback

Experimental studies of subharmonic modulation distortions of semiconductor lasers with optical feedback are described. These distortions were found to exhibit almost resonant frequency characteristics and threshold behaviour against the modulation frequency and its depth, respectively. It was inferred that they would be excited by parametric interactions caused by some laser diode parameter changes due to modulation.     

Intrapancreatic choledochal cyst. Diagnosis by peroral transduodenal cholangiography with description of a new method of surgical treatment

A patient with a choledochal cyst presenting solely with abdominal pain is described. The cyst was diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. The clinical, radiographic, and surgical features of this disorder are briefly reviewed and the need to consider this entity as a possible cause of obscure abdominal pain is stressed.